- 2016-09-24 - Day 13 - Mazatlan (SI) to Tequila (JA) (468 km - 7:00 hrs)
- 2016-09-25 - Day 14 - Tequila (JA) to Guadalajara (JA) (65 km - 1:00 hrs)
- 2016-09-26 - Day 15 - Guadalajara (JA) to Leon (GT) (244 km - 3:45 hrs)
Today (September 24) was a long day of riding, planned well in advance. Despite 7 hours in the saddle and nearly 500 km, everything went smoothly and was very enjoyable for the simple reason that I chose the secondary road instead of the highway!
I might have saved 2 hours, but instead of riding at 130 km/h and seeing nothing of my surroundings, I fully immersed myself in all the small villages I passed through, the beautiful mountains I could see in the distance, and even crossed some just before arriving in Tequila.
It’s fascinating how the roads are almost empty and in very good condition most of the time. This makes it possible to maintain a good pace; there are rarely slow vehicles holding you back, and when there are, it’s easy to overtake them.
Of course, here, like in Canada, there are passing zones marked with dashed lines and no-passing zones with solid lines. The only difference is the drivers’ indifference to these markings! When overtaking is possible, people do it without worrying too much about the line on the road. Who am I not to adapt to local customs?
At no point did I feel unsafe on the road. In fact, so far, only entering and riding through large or medium-sized cities is more challenging. That being said, you must stay alert at all times, because it’s not uncommon to be overtaken even at 130 km/h, and large potholes remain a possibility—not to mention the “topes” (speed bumps) used to slow traffic when entering urban areas.
Returning to the ride itself, the image that comes to mind is greenery: whether farmland, forests, or mountainous regions, everything was very green. It paired perfectly with the blue sky and the lovely 27°C weather!
Tequila #
Tequila is a vibrant, touristy town famous for its “bodegas.” The production companies here are impressive, with massive estates that generate incredible income.
The historic center is great for a stroll and a chat with local artists. I enjoyed the hotel courtyard for some photo sorting and emails.
On a humorous note: check out these tourist “trolleys.” Yes, Tequila is definitely a tourist town!
Guadalajara: Love at First Sight #
One of the things I’ve learned is that it’s sometimes best to arrive in big cities on a Sunday around noon. The streets were almost empty in Guadalajara, which made my arrival much easier.
This day also marks the celebration of my first two weeks on the road. Traveling and riding here is relatively easy for now, but I know that what awaits me in a few weeks will be completely different (less cell coverage, no Google Street View in Peru).
Guadalajara left me speechless! The city is lively, vibrant, and full of historic buildings and pedestrian squares. Look at the first thing I see when I leave my hotel: Bixis! These bikes, designed in Quebec, are everywhere here.
Leon #
The road to Leon was rough in parts, with heavy truck traffic. The historic center is beautiful but less refined than Guadalajara. However, the energy of the students and the endless shoe shops (seriously, no one walks barefoot here) made it an interesting stop.
Logistics: The Tire Situation #
The bike is running perfectly, and I’m getting used to the “weight” of it. I have at least 4,500 km to Panama City and another 1,500 km to Medellin where I planned to change tires. That’s 6,000 km more on my current set (totaling ~16,000 km).
I’m researching options:
- Mitas tires are available in Panama via Daniel Calza.
- Touratech Costa Rica has TKC 80s, but they won’t last long enough.
- Option C: My girlfriend brings a Heidenau in her checked luggage when she meets me in Cartagena.
Has anyone ever checked a motorcycle tire as airline luggage?